Samsung Continues Quest to Makes Android Enterprise SAFE

By Tony Rizzo, Editor in Chief — June 19, 2012

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile) continues to look for strong ways to make the Android operating system - which is positioned to become the top operating system platform for enterprise smartphones by 2013 - a more secure and trusted enterprise platform. Samsung is simplifying enterprise adoption with the introduction of SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise), along with the first SAFE-branded smartphone in the United States, the Galaxy S III, which will be available at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and US Cellular by July.

With the launch of the SAFE-branded Galaxy S III, Samsung has also announced the availability of a trade-up program called SAFE2SWITCH which simplifies the transition to Samsung SAFE devices from Samsung or other manufacturers’ smartphones. Both prosumers and corporate customers alike can take advantage of this program which offers very competitive trade-in values in real-time from their existing smartphone or Internet-connected device.

SAFE: Optimized for the Enterprise

SAFE provides a comprehensive approach to making Android devices secure and manageable by systematically meeting the rapidly evolving needs of IT and the growing number of businesses allowing employees to “bring your own device” (BYOD) to work. Samsung created SAFE as a way to defragment the Android OS across multiple versions, from the older Gingerbread to the current Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) at U.S. carriers.

Out of the box, the SAFE-branded Galaxy S III supports a full suite of enterprise-ready features and capabilities with support for 338 IT Policies. This includes on-device AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and support for industry-leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions.

Over the last 12 months, Samsung has surpassed its next nearest handset and smartphone competitors to become the number one smartphone vendor globally and now has its sights set on the enterprise. Working closely with enterprise customers and industry-leading solutions providers, Samsung has developed a thorough quality assurance program.

This program begins with MDM and VPN solutions providers using Samsung's software development kit to deeply integrate their solution on the SAFE device. Once the development effort is completed, Samsung and the solution provider then thoroughly test and verify the device’s support for the MDM and/or VPN software. This collaboration, coupled with the testing process, creates solutions that are optimized for SAFE devices and enterprise use including adoption within regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services and government.

"It's now safe to say that the 'Next Big Thing in Enterprise' is here with the near-term availability of SAFE-branded Galaxy S III devices at five U.S. carriers," said Tim Wagner, Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Sales at Samsung Mobile. "The SAFE-branded and QA-tested Galaxy S III smartphone systematically defragments Android to provide a consistent level of IT compliance for individuals who demand the very best in both their personal and professional lives."

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